Centre to restore Brig Khan's security

The union government has decided to restore security to Brig Israr Rahim Khan (retd), who led the first army troops that entered the Golden Temple in Amritsar during Operation Bluestar.

Lt Gen Kuldip Singh Brar (retd) and seven other former army officers, who had participated in the 1984 operation to flush out militants from Harmandar Sahib, would continue to have security by soldiers.

A committee headed by union home secretary RK Singh has decided that Khan, who is in his seventies, would be provided security immediately by central agencies and that after some time, the Uttar Pradesh Police would take over his security, official sources said on Thursday. The retired army officer lives on the outskirts of Delhi.

The decision has come in the wake of the September 30 attack in London on 78-year-old Brar, who had led Operation Bluestar. Brar says he is convinced that it was an attempt by "pro-Khalistan elements" to assassinate him for his role in the 1984 operation.

Khan's security was withdrawn in 2004 after he was asked to vacate his government accommodation in Delhi cantonment, which was allotted to him following his retirement from service.

The government has decided that 'Z' category security would continue to be provided to Brar by army commandos. Army soldiers would also guard seven other army officers, who live in various cantonment areas.